U.S. patent number 10,272,965 [Application Number 15/565,852] was granted by the patent office on 2019-04-30 for saddled-vehicle cowl structure.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Honda Motor Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kazuro Furukawa, Hideaki Haraguchi, Masahiro Mizoguchi, Hiroki Mori, Hiroaki Takashiba, Takayoshi Tsujinaka, Shin Yokoyama.
![](/patent/grant/10272965/US10272965-20190430-D00000.png)
![](/patent/grant/10272965/US10272965-20190430-D00001.png)
![](/patent/grant/10272965/US10272965-20190430-D00002.png)
![](/patent/grant/10272965/US10272965-20190430-D00003.png)
![](/patent/grant/10272965/US10272965-20190430-D00004.png)
![](/patent/grant/10272965/US10272965-20190430-D00005.png)
![](/patent/grant/10272965/US10272965-20190430-D00006.png)
![](/patent/grant/10272965/US10272965-20190430-D00007.png)
![](/patent/grant/10272965/US10272965-20190430-D00008.png)
![](/patent/grant/10272965/US10272965-20190430-D00009.png)
![](/patent/grant/10272965/US10272965-20190430-D00010.png)
View All Diagrams
United States Patent |
10,272,965 |
Haraguchi , et al. |
April 30, 2019 |
Saddled-vehicle cowl structure
Abstract
Provided is a saddled-vehicle cowl structure capable of
effectively supplying outside air to a power unit. A
saddled-vehicle cowl structure includes a main seat on which an
occupant is seated, a side cowl that covers a side lower part of
the main seat, an air cleaner box provided below the main seat and
connected to a power unit, and an air intake duct for supplying
outdoor air to the air cleaner box. The side cowl includes an inner
side cowl and an outer side cowl disposed on a vehicle width
direction outer side of the inner side cowl. An air intake port for
supplying traveling wind to the air intake duct is provided near a
front end portion of the inner side cowl. The air intake port is
covered by the outer side cowl from an outer side.
Inventors: |
Haraguchi; Hideaki (Wako,
JP), Yokoyama; Shin (Wako, JP), Tsujinaka;
Takayoshi (Wako, JP), Mori; Hiroki (Wako,
JP), Takashiba; Hiroaki (Wako, JP),
Mizoguchi; Masahiro (Wako, JP), Furukawa; Kazuro
(Wako, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. |
Minato-ku, Tokyo |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
57143844 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/565,852 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2015 |
PCT
Filed: |
April 24, 2015 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP2015/062590 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
October 11, 2017 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2016/170689 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
October 27, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180118295 A1 |
May 3, 2018 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62J
17/02 (20130101); B60K 13/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B62J
17/02 (20060101); B60K 13/02 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1740550 |
|
Mar 2006 |
|
CN |
|
101187331 |
|
May 2008 |
|
CN |
|
104454133 |
|
Mar 2015 |
|
CN |
|
2006-347343 |
|
Dec 2006 |
|
JP |
|
2010-162990 |
|
Jul 2010 |
|
JP |
|
2011-161997 |
|
Aug 2011 |
|
JP |
|
2012-162094 |
|
Aug 2012 |
|
JP |
|
2012-240522 |
|
Dec 2012 |
|
JP |
|
2013-189171 |
|
Sep 2013 |
|
JP |
|
2014-125012 |
|
Jul 2014 |
|
JP |
|
Other References
PCT/ISA/210 from PCT/JP2015/062590 with the English translation
thereof. cited by applicant .
Taiwanese Office Action, dated Dec. 23, 2016, issued in the
corresponding Taiwanese Patent Application No. 105112106. cited by
applicant .
Extended European search report dated May 2, 2018 issued in the
corresponding EP Patent Application 15889928.6. cited by applicant
.
PCT/IB/326, PCT/IB/373 and PCT/IB/338 with PCT/ISA/237, The
International Preliminary Report on Patentability, from
International Application PCT/JP2015/062590 and the English
translation thereof. cited by applicant .
Office Action dated Jun. 26, 2018 in the corresponding Japanese
Patent Application No. 2017-513941 with the English machine
translation thereof. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Rocca; Joseph M
Assistant Examiner: Stabley; Michael R
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Carrier Blackman & Associates,
P.C. Blackman; William D. Carrier; Joseph P.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A saddled-vehicle having a handlebar steerably supported by a
head pipe, a seat configured to support an occupant thereon, and a
cowl structure comprising: a side cowl that covers a side lower
part of the seat; a front cowl; an air cleaner box provided below
the seat and connected to a power unit; and an air intake duct for
supplying outdoor air to the air cleaner box, wherein: the side
cowl includes an inner side cowl and an outer side cowl disposed on
a vehicle width direction outer side of the inner side cowl, an air
intake port for supplying traveling wind to the air intake duct is
provided near a front end portion of the inner side cowl, and the
air intake port is covered by the outer side cowl from an outer
side thereof, a side of the head pipe is covered by the front cowl,
an air intake passage is formed on an inside of the front cowl, and
a rear edge portion of the front cowl is disposed on a front side
of the air intake port and further on an outer side than the air
intake port, and the front cowl is configured to supply a traveling
wind, passed through the air intake passage, to the air intake duct
via the air intake port.
2. The saddled-vehicle cowl structure according to claim 1, wherein
the inner side cowl includes a protrusion section projecting to the
outer side, and the protrusion section is provided in a front of
the air intake port from a vehicle width direction inner side of a
front end portion of the outer side cowl to a part where the inner
side cowl is exposed to an outside.
3. The saddled-vehicle having a cowl structure according to claim
2, wherein a main frame extends rearwardly and downwardly from the
head pipe, a fuel tank for supplying fuel to the power unit is
provided between the head pipe and the seat, the inner side cowl is
disposed above the main frame and supported by the fuel tank, and
the cowl structure is supported by a stay extending sideways from
the main frame.
4. The saddled-vehicle having a cowl structure according to claim
1, wherein a main frame extends rearwardly and downwardly from the
head pipe, a fuel tank for supplying fuel to the power unit is
provided between the head pipe and the seat, the inner side cowl is
disposed above the main frame and supported by the fuel tank, and
the cowl structure is supported by a stay extending sideways from
the main frame.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a saddled-vehicle cowl structure
for supplying outside air to a power unit.
BACKGROUND ART
There has been known a structure in which an opening of an air
intake duct is formed in a vehicle body front surface center, an
opening is provided in a middle cowl that covers a vehicle body
side, and a radiator is exposed to a lot of traveling wind (see,
for example, Patent Literature 1).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-347343
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
In the case of the middle cowl in Patent Literature 1, the middle
cowl has a shape formed by calculating how the traveling wind
passes by providing the opening. However, a cowl structure for
taking the traveling wind into a vehicle body is not formed. It is
desired to more effectively utilize the traveling wind.
An object of the present invention is to provide a saddled-vehicle
cowl structure capable of effectively supplying outside air to a
power unit.
Solution to Problem
In order to solve the problem, the present invention provides a
saddled-vehicle cowl structure including: a handle (21) steerably
supported by a head pipe (10b); a seat (17) on which an occupant is
seated; a side cowl (33) that covers a side lower part of the seat
(17); an air cleaner box (37) provided below the seat (17) and
connected to a power unit (30); and an air intake duct (38) for
supplying outdoor air to the air cleaner box (37). The side cowl
(33) includes an inner side cowl (54) and an outer side cowl (55)
disposed on a vehicle width direction outer side of the inner side
cowl (54). An air intake port (54g) for supplying traveling wind to
the air intake duct (38) is provided near a front end portion of
the inner side cowl (54). The air intake port (54g) is covered by
the outer side cowl (55) from an outer side.
In the configuration, the inner side cowl (54) may include a
protrusion section (54j) projecting to the outer side. The
protrusion section (54j) may be provided in a front of the air
intake port (54g) from a vehicle width direction inner side of a
front end portion of the outer side cowl (55) to a part where the
inner side cowl (54) is exposed to an outside.
In the configuration, a side of the head pipe (10b) may be covered
by the middle cowl (42). An air intake passage (42b) may be formed
on an inside of the middle cowl (42). A rear edge of the middle
cowl (42) may be disposed on a front side of the air intake port
(54g) and further on an outer side than the air intake port (54g).
The traveling wind passed through the air intake passage (42b) may
be supplied to the air intake duct (38) via the air intake port
(54g).
In the configuration, a main frame (10c) may extend rearwardly
downward from the head pipe (10b). A fuel tank (29) for supplying
fuel to the power unit (30) may be provided between the head pipe
(10b) and the seat (17). The inner side cowl (54) may be disposed
above the main frame (10c) and supported by the fuel tank (29). The
middle cowl (42) may be supported by a stay (91) extending sideward
from the main frame (10c).
Advantageous Effects of Invention
The side cowl of the present invention includes the inner side cowl
and the outer side cowl disposed on the vehicle width direction
outer side of the inner side cowl. The air intake port for
supplying the traveling wind to the air intake duct is provided
near the front end portion of the inner side cowl. The air intake
port is covered from the outer side by the outer side cowl.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the air intake port from being
closed by a leg when the occupant performs knee-grip. Therefore, it
is possible effectively supply the outside air to the power
unit.
The inner side cowl includes the protrusion section projecting to
the outer side. The protrusion section is provided in the front of
the air intake port from the vehicle width direction inner side of
the front end portion of the outer side cowl to the part where the
inner side cowl is exposed to the outside. Therefore, unevenness is
formed on the outer side surface of the inner side cowl. It is
possible to prevent the air intake port from being completely
closed when the occupant performs the knee-grip. Therefore, it is
possible to effectively supply the outside air to the power
unit.
The side of the head pipe is covered by the middle cowl. The air
intake passage is formed on the inside of the middle cowl. The rear
edge of the middle cowl is disposed on the front side of the air
intake port and further on the outer side than the air intake port.
The traveling wind passed through the air intake passage is
supplied to the air intake duct via the air intake port. Therefore,
by disposing the rear edge of the middle cowl on the front side and
the outer side of the air intake port, it is possible to secure a
space in the front of the side cowl when the occupant places the
leg on the middle cowl in order to perform the knee-grip.
Consequently, it is possible to effectively supply the outside air
to the power unit.
The main frame extends rearwardly downward from the head pipe. The
fuel tank for supplying the fuel to the power unit is provided
between the head pipe and the seat. The inner side cowl is disposed
above the main frame and supported by the fuel tank. The middle
cowl is supported by the stay extending sideward from the main
frame. Therefore, since the inner side cowl and the middle cowl are
supported in a state in which the inner side cowl and the middle
cowl are offset in the vehicle width direction, it is possible to
form a structure in which the air intake port is much less easily
closed by the knee-grip of the occupant. Therefore, the occupant
can perform the knee-grip in a state in which a space in the side
cowl front is secured. It is possible to effectively supply the
outside air to the power unit. The inner side cowl is supported by
the fuel tank. The middle cowl is supported by the main frame via
the stay. Therefore, it is possible to firmly support the inner
side cowl and the middle cowl.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a right side view of a motorcycle including a cowl
structure according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing the motorcycle.
FIG. 3 is a right side view showing a front upper part of the
motorcycle.
FIG. 4 is a main part enlarged view of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a V-V line sectional view of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a main part enlarged view of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a VII-VII line sectional view of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a VIII-VIII line sectional view of FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing left and right side cowls, middle
cowls, and a periphery of the left and right side cowls and the
middle cowls.
FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an inner side
cowl, wherein FIG. 10A is a side view of the inner side cowl and
FIG. 10B is a front view of the inner side cowl.
FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams showing an inner middle
cowl and an outer middle cowl of the middle cowl, wherein FIG. 11A
is a side view showing the inner middle cowl and FIG. 11B is a side
view showing the outer middle cowl.
FIG. 12 is an action diagram showing a wind guide structure of a
vehicle body cover.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
An embodiment of the present invention is explained below with
reference to the drawings. Note that, in the explanation,
descriptions of directions such as front, rear, left, and right and
upward and downward are the same as directions with respect to a
vehicle body unless particularly described otherwise. A sign FR
shown in the figures indicates a vehicle body forward direction, a
sign UP indicates a vehicle body upward direction, and a sign LH
indicates a vehicle body leftward direction.
FIG. 1 is a right side view of a motorcycle 10 including a cowl
structure according to the present invention.
The motorcycle 10 is a saddled vehicle in which a front wheel 13 is
supported at the front end portion of a vehicle body frame 10A via
a front fork 12, a rear wheel 16 is supported in a lower part of
the vehicle body frame 10A via a swing arm 14, and a main seat 17
for a driver is supported in an upper part of the vehicle body
frame 10A.
The vehicle body frame 10A includes a head pipe 10b, a pair of left
and right main frames 10c, a pair of left and right pivot frames
10d, a down frame 10e, a pair of left and right seat frames 10f
(see FIG. 5), and a pair of left and right sub-frames 10g.
The head pipe 10b steerably supports the front fork 12. The main
frames 10c extend rear obliquely downward on the left and right
from the head pipe 10b. The pivot frames 10d extend substantially
downward from the rear ends of the main frames 10c. The down frame
10e extends substantially downward from the head pipe 10b. The seat
frames 10f extend rear obliquely upward from the main frames 10c
and support the main seat 17. The sub-frames 10g extend rear
obliquely upward in upper parts of the pivot frames 10d and below
the seat frames 10f and are connected to rear parts of the seat
frames 10f.
A bar handle 21 is attached to an upper part of the front fork 12.
The front wheel 13 is supported in a lower part of the front fork
12 via an axle 22. The front end portion of the swing arm 14 is
swingably supported by a pivot shaft 23 provided in the left and
right pivot frames 10d. The rear wheel 16 is supported at the rear
end portion of the swing arm 14 via an axle 24.
An engine 26 is supported in the center of the vehicle body frame
10A. Power is transmitted from a transmission 27 integrally
provided in the engine 26 to the rear wheel 16 via a chain 28.
The engine 26 and the transmission 27 configure a power unit
30.
A fuel tank 29 is supported by the left and right main frames 10c
above the engine 26. A tank pad 65 is provided in a rear part of
the fuel tank 29. The pivot frames 10d and the down frame 10e
support the engine 26.
The engine 26 includes a crank case 26a in which a crank shaft is
rotatably housed and a cylinder section 26b erected upper obliquely
forward from a front upper part of the crank case 26a. An air
intake device 36 is connected to a rear part of the cylinder
section 26b. The air intake device 36 includes an air cleaner box
37 and an air intake duct 38 connected to a rear part of the air
cleaner box 37. An exhaust device 39 is connected to a front part
of the cylinder section 26b.
The motorcycle 10 is covered by a vehicle body cover 31. The
vehicle body cover 31 includes a front cowl 32, a pair of left and
right side cowls 33, and a pair of left and right rear side body
covers 34.
The front cowl 32 includes an upper cowl 41, a pair of left and
right middle cowls 42, and a pair of left and right lower cowls
43.
The upper cowl 41 forms the front surface of the front cowl 32 and
includes a center upper cowl 45 located in a vehicle width
direction center and lower part and a pair of left and right side
upper cowls 46 located on a vehicle width direction outer side. A
windscreen 47 is attached to the left and right side upper cowls
46. A headlight 51 is disposed below the side upper cowls 46.
The middle cowls 42 are portions that form left and right side
surfaces of the front cowl 32 and cover, from vehicle body sides, a
vehicle body front part up to a position lower than the axle 22 of
the front wheel 13. The lower cowls 43 extend from front end
portions connected to the lower end portions of the middle cowls 42
to sides of a lower part of the engine 26.
The side cowls 33 are configured from substantially V-shape inner
side cowls 54 and inverted triangular outer side cowls 55 that
cover outer sides of upper parts of the inner side cowls 54. The
side cowls 33 cover lower parts of the main seat 17 and the fuel
tank 29 from sides.
The rear side body covers 34 cover, from sides, lower parts of
respective side edge portions of a rear part of the main seat 17
for the driver and a rear seat 57 for a fellow passenger disposed
behind the main seat 17.
The air cleaner box 37 and the air intake duct 38 are disposed on a
vehicle width direction inner side of the side cowls 33. In
particular, the air intake duct 38 is disposed on a vehicle width
direction inner side of rear parts of the inner side cowls 54.
In the figure, reference numeral 61 denotes a front fender that
covers the front wheel 13 from above, 62 denotes a pair of left and
right rearview mirrors attached to the side upper cowls 46, 63
denotes a pair of left and right front blinkers attached to front
upper parts of the middle cowls 42, and 64 denotes a pair of left
and right driver steps. Reference numeral 66 denotes a pair of left
and right plate members attached to lower side surfaces of the
pivot frames 10d, 67 denotes a rear fender that covers the rear
wheel 16 from above, 69 denotes a side stand attached to the lower
end portion of the pivot frame 10d on the left side, 73 denotes a
pair of left and right rear blinkers attached to the rear fender
67, and 74 and 75 denote an exhaust pipe and a muffler configuring
the exhaust device 39.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing the motorcycle 10.
The headlight 51 includes a pair of left and right exposed sections
51a, 51a that is exposed to the outside and emits light and a
connecting section 51b that integrally connects the left and right
exposed sections 51a, 51a. The headlight 51 has an exterior like a
two-lamp type with the connecting section 51b covered from the
front by the center upper cowl 45.
The center upper cowl 45 extends in the up-down direction across
the headlight 51. A lower part of the center upper cowl 45 extends
in a substantially horizontal direction.
A pair of left and right headlight lower covers 71, 71 is disposed
below the headlight 51 and in front of the center upper cowl 45.
Ducts 81 for taking traveling wind into the vehicle body cover 31
are provided in the headlight lower covers 71.
The lower part of the center upper cowl 45, the left and right
headlight lower covers 71, 71, and the left and right middle cowls
42, 42 form an opening 42a opened forward. The front fork 12
projects front obliquely downward from the opening 42a.
The front fork 12 includes a pair of left and right fork tubes 72.
The fork tubes 72 have a telescopic structure and are configured
from springs that support the weight of the motorcycle 10 and
dampers that attenuate vibration.
At the front end portions of the middle cowls 42, a pair of left
and right front end portion upper openings 86a, 86a and front end
portion lower openings 85a respectively provided in pairs on the
left and the right are formed.
The frontend portion upper openings 86a are set as substantially
the same height as the upper end of a front fender 61 and formed
along the edge of the opening 42a. The front end portion lower
openings 85a are laterally long openings. The pair of front end
portion lower openings 85a is vertically disposed side by side.
FIG. 3 is a right side view showing a front upper part of the
motorcycle 10. Note that flows of the air indicated by arrows in
the figure are explained with reference to FIG. 12.
A gap 98 is provided between the lower edge portion of the side
upper cowl 46 and the upper edge portion of the headlight 51. The
gap 98 is formed to guide the traveling wind to the rear of the
side upper cowl 46 and the windscreen 47 via the gap 98 and
suppress generation of a negative pressure behind the front cowl 32
during vehicle traveling. Consequently, engulfing of the traveling
wind to the rear of the front cowl 32 is reduced.
The middle cowl 42 is configured from an inner middle cowl 85 and
an outer middle cowl 86 disposed in the outer side of the inner
middle cowl 85. In the outer middle cowl 86, a front side cutout
86c opened to the front side and a rear side cutout 86d opened to
the rear side are formed. The headlight lower cover 71 is disposed
in the front side cutout 86c. A part of the inner middle cowl 85 is
exposed to the outer side from the rear side cutout 86d.
An air intake passage 42b extending substantially in the front-rear
direction between the inner middle cowl 85 and the outer middle
cowl 86 is formed below the rear side cutout 86d of the middle cowl
42.
The distal end portion of the air intake passage 42b communicates
with a front end portion upper opening 86a. The rear end portion of
the air intake passage 42b communicates with a rear end portion
opening 85b formed at the rear end portion of the inner middle cowl
85. The traveling wind flows into the air intake passage 42b from
the front end portion upper opening 86a, which is an inlet, and
flows out into the middle cowl 42 from the rear end portion opening
85b, which is an outlet.
A pair of upper and lower rear end portion lower openings 85c, 85c
located below a rear part of the air intake passage 42b is opened
near the rear edge of the inner middle cowl 85. Note that reference
numeral 88 in the figure denotes a radiator.
An upper air intake passage 42d extending substantially in the
front-rear direction between the inner middle cowl 85 and the outer
middle cowl 86 is formed above the rear side cutout 86d of the
middle cowl 42.
The distal end portion of the upper air intake passage 42d
communicates with the duct 81. The rear end portion of the upper
air intake passage 42d communicates with an upper discharge port
85g of the inner middle cowl 85 explained in detail below. The
traveling wind flows into the upper air intake passage 42d from the
duct 81, which is an inlet side, and flows out into the middle cowl
42 from the upper discharge port 85g, which is an outlet.
FIG. 4 is a main part enlarged view of FIG. 3.
The rear end portion of the middle cowl 42 (specifically, the outer
middle cowl 86) is attached to a stay 91, which extends from the
main frame 10c to the vehicle width direction outer side, by a bolt
92 (see FIG. 6).
In the inner side cowl 54 of the side cowl 33, a pair of air intake
ports 54g, 54g is formed to extend along a rear edge 86e inclining
rearwardly downward of the outer middle cowl 86.
The air intake ports 54g are portions for taking the outside air
into the side cowl 33 and facilitating suction from the air intake
duct 38. The pair of air intake ports 54g, 54g is covered by a
front edge portion 55a of the outer side cowl 55 from the outer
side. Therefore, the air intake ports 54g are not exposed to the
outside. It is possible to improve appearance.
In the inner side cowl 54, a pair of upper and lower protrusion
sections 54j, 54j projecting to the vehicle width direction outer
side is formed to extend in the front-rear direction from the
vicinity of the air intake port 54g to a front edge 54h. Note that
reference sign 54t denotes a step section formed below the
protrusion section 54j on the lower side.
The protrusion sections 54j are portions that secure an air passage
to the air intake ports 54g. The protrusion sections 54j project to
the vehicle width direction outer side from an outer side surface
54m of the front end portion of the inner side cowl 54 and exposed
from between the rear edge 86e of the outer middle cowl 86 and the
front edge portion 55a of the outer side cowl 55.
A front part of the inner side cowl 54 is attached to a side edge
portion 29a that extends downward from a side of the fuel tank 29.
Specifically, a pair of inner protrusions 54k, 54k projecting to
the vehicle width direction inner side from the inner surface of
the inner side cowl 54 is inserted into and fixed in attachment
holes (not shown in the figure), which are formed at a side edge
portion 29a of the fuel tank 29, via a grommet 93 made of
rubber.
A broken line arrow in the figure indicates a flow of the air in
the vehicle body cover 31. That is, the air passes through the air
intake passage 42b in the middle cowl 42 and the air intake port
54g of the side cowl 33 and reaches the air intake duct 38.
FIG. 5 is a V-V line sectional view of FIG. 1.
On the inner side of the openings 42a of the left and right middle
cowls 42, 42, the radiator 88, the engine 26, and the air cleaner
box 37 and the air intake duct 38 configuring the air intake device
36 are disposed in order from the front side.
The air intake passages 42b are formed between the inner middle
cowls 85 and the outer middle cowls 86 of the middle cowls 42.
The radiator 88 and the engine 26 are covered by the middle cowls
42 from both sides. The air cleaner box 37 and the air intake duct
38 are covered by the middle cowls 42 and the side cowls 33 from
both sides.
The air cleaner box 37 includes an air cleaner case main body 141,
an air cleaner case cover 142 that closes an opening of the air
cleaner case main body 141, and an air filter element 143
detachably attached in the air cleaner case main body 141.
The air cleaner case cover 142 is connected to the engine 26 via a
connecting tube, a throttle body, and an air intake pipe not shown
in the figure.
The air intake duct 38 is connected to a rear part of the air
cleaner case main body 141.
An arrow in the figure indicates a flow of the air along the middle
cowl 42 and the side cowl 33.
The air sucked from a suction port 38a of the air intake duct 38
flows into a dirty side, which is one chamber in the air cleaner
box 37, and passes through the air filter element 143 to be
purified. Further, the air enters a clean side, which is the other
chamber in the air cleaner box 37, and passes through the
components explained above from the clean side to be supplied to
the engine 26. Note that reference numeral 146 in the figure
denotes a radiator fan that forcibly sucks air into the radiator 88
and 147 denotes a brake pedal for rear wheel braking.
FIG. 6 is a main part enlarged view of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a VII-VII
line sectional view of FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 6, the inner side cowl 54 of the side cowl 33
includes the protrusion section 54j projecting to the outer side
from the outer side surface 54m of the inner side cowl 54 and
extending in the front-rear direction and the air intake port 54g
formed behind the protrusion section 54j.
The front edge portion 55a of the outer side cowl 55 of the side
cowl 33 is bent to the vehicle width direction inner side to be set
close to or in contact with the protrusion section 54j.
The inner side cowl 54 is disposed above the main frame 10c. A
support bracket 151 is attached to the main frame 10c. The front
end portion of the seat frame 10f is fastened to the support
bracket 151 by a bolt and a nut.
A gap 145 functioning as an air passage is formed between the side
cowl 33 and the rear end portion of the middle cowl 42
(specifically, the outer middle cowl 86).
Reference numeral 150 denotes a straight line passing through the
center of the front-rear width in a stepping section of the brake
pedal 147 and extending in the vehicle width direction. Since the
air intake port 54g is formed further forward than the straight
line 150, the air intake port 54g is less easily closed by the leg
during knee-grip according to a positional relation between the
brake pedal 147 and the leg of the driver.
As shown in FIG. 7, by forming a plurality of protrusion sections
54j in the inner side cowl 54 of the side cowl 33, a plurality of
groove-like wind guide passages 54n for guiding the outside air to
the intake port 54g (see FIG. 6) are formed among the protrusion
sections 54j, 54j.
For example, even when the driver presses a knee 160 against the
side cowl 33 and the middle cowl 42 to perform the knee-grip, the
wind guide passages 54n are secured.
Further, the rear edge portion of the middle cowl 42 is disposed
further on the outer side than the air intake port 54g and the
protrusion sections 54j. Therefore, since the leg including the
knee 160 of the driver is disposed away from the air intake port
54g and the protrusion sections 54j to the outer side, it is easy
to secure an air passage to the air intake port 54g.
In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, as indicated by an arrow A, the outside air
flows out from the air intake passage 42b in the middle cowl 42
into the vehicle body through the rear end portion opening 85b. As
indicated by an arrow B, the outside air moves to the vehicle rear
along the inner surface of the outer middle cowl 86. Subsequently,
as indicated by arrows C1 and C2, the outside air passes through
the wind guide passage 54n between the outer side surface 54m of
the inner side cowl 54 and the front edge portion 55a of the outer
side cowl 55 and reaches the air intake port 54g, passes through
the air intake port 54g and flows into the vehicle width direction
inner side of the side cowl 33, and flows to the air intake duct
38.
As explained above, since the air intake passage 42b is provided in
the middle cowl 42, it is possible to form a cowl structure in
which the traveling wind is effectively utilized. Therefore, it is
possible to effectively supply the outside air to the power unit
30.
FIG. 8 is a VIII-VIII line sectional view of FIG. 1.
The air intake duct 38 having a tubular shape is connected to a
rear part of the air cleaner box 37.
The air intake duct 38 includes the suction port 38a for sucking
the air and an intake port 38b opened on the air cleaner box 37
side in the suction port 38a in order to take the air into the air
cleaner box 37 from the suction port 38a. Note that reference sign
38c denotes an opening of the suction port 38a.
A suction port center line 120 extending in the longitudinal
direction of the suction port 38a and passing the center of the
width of the suction port 38a extends to tilt vehicle body right
obliquely downward from the intake port 38b side to the opening 38c
side.
The suction port center line 120 tilts by an angle .theta. with
respect to a horizontal line 121. The suction port 38a tilts in
this way in order to tilt the suction port center line 120 vehicle
body right obliquely downward even if the vehicle body tilts to the
left side and prevent rain water from intruding into the suction
port 38a from the opening 83c when the vehicle is stopped or parked
using the side stand 69 (see FIG. 1) provided at the lower end
portion of the pivot frame 10d (see FIG. 1) on the left side
configuring the vehicle body frame 10A.
A bottom plate 17a configuring the lower surface of the main seat
17 is disposed above the air cleaner box 37 and the air intake duct
38 (the air cleaner box 37 and the air intake duct 38 are
hereinafter referred to as "air intake component 48"). An ABS
module 123 and an ABS module cover 124 that covers a lower part and
the left and right sides of the ABS module 123 are disposed below
the air intake component 48. The ABS module 123 is configured from
an electric motor, a pump driven by the electric motor, a plurality
of liquid pressure pipes connected to the pump, a solenoid valve
provided halfway in the liquid pressure pipes, and the like. When a
brake lever or a brake pedal is operated to perform quick braking
of the front wheel 13 (see FIG. 1) and the rear wheel 16 (see FIG.
1) by a front wheel brake and a rear wheel brake, actuation of the
electric motor, opening and closing of the solenoid valve, and the
like are controlled by a control device separate from the ABS
module 123 and lock of the front wheel 13 and the rear wheel 16 is
prevented.
Since the left and right sides of the air intake component 48 are
covered by the inner side cowl 54, the air intake component 48 is
disposed in a space 125 surrounded by the bottom plate 17a of the
main seat 17, the ABS module cover 124, and the left and right
inner side cowls 54, 54. By forming the space 125 surrounded by the
cover and the like in this way, it is possible to make it easy to
suck the air in the space 125 from the air intake duct 38.
The pair of left and right seat frames 10f, 10f and the pair of
left and right sub-frames 10g, 10g passes through the space
125.
Reference numeral 133 denotes a rear cushion unit laid between the
vehicle body frame and the swing arm (see FIG. 1), 134 denotes a
crank case cover included in the crank case 26a (see FIG. 1) of the
engine 26 (see FIG. 1), 135 denotes an oil injection port cap
provided in the crank case cover 134, and 136 denotes a pair of
left and right lower frame covers that covers a lower part of the
vehicle body frame 10A from the outer side.
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the left and right side cowls 33, the
middle cowls 42, and the periphery of the left and right side cowls
33 and the middle cowls 42.
The stays 91 respectively extending to the vehicle width direction
outer sides are attached to rear parts of the pair of left and
right main frames 10c, 10c. The left and right middle cowls 42,
specifically, the rear end portions of the outer middle cowls 86
are supported by the stays 91.
Front parts of the inner side cowls 54 (see FIG. 6) of the side
cowls 33 are supported by the left and right side edge portions
29a, 29a provided in a side lower part of the fuel tank 29.
The rear end portions of the outer middle cowls 86 and the front
parts of the inner side cowls 54, as explained above, are portions
that are pressed against the vehicle width direction inner side by
the legs together with the side surface of the fuel tank 29 when
the driver performs the knee-grip. A pressing force of the portions
is supported by the supporting structure explained above.
FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing the inner side
cowl 54. FIG. 10A is a side view of the inner side cowl 54. FIG.
10B is a front view of the inner side cowl 54.
As shown in FIG. 10A, the inner side cowl 54 includes, on the front
side, a wind guide section 54p in which a plurality of wind guide
passages 54n are formed and an inclined section 54q formed to
gradually extend to the vehicle width direction outer side from the
respective rear ends of the protrusion sections 54j of the wind
guide section 54p and the outer side surface 54m.
In the inclined section 54g, the air intake ports 54g located
behind the wind guide passage 54n are opened.
By forming the air intake ports 54g in the inclined section 54q in
this way, for example, compared with when air intake ports are
provided on a surface extending in the front-rear direction, it is
possible to allow the traveling wind from the vehicle front to
easily flow into the air intake ports 54g.
As shown in FIG. 10B, a plurality of inner protrusions 54k
projecting to the vehicle width direction inner side are integrally
formed on a rear surface 54r of the inner side cowl 54. The inner
protrusions 54k in an upper part are fit in the fuel tank 29 (see
FIG. 3). Note that reference sign 54s denotes a vehicle body side
attaching section integrally molded at the rear end portion in the
inner side cowl 54. The vehicle body side attaching section 54s is
attached to the seat frame 10f (see FIG. 5).
FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams showing the inner middle
cowl 85 and the outer middle cowl 86 of the middle cowl 42. FIG.
11A is a side view showing the inner middle cowl 85. FIG. 11B is a
side view showing the outer middle cowl 86.
As shown in FIG. 11A, the inner middle cowl 85 is configured from a
substantially triangular inner upper middle cowl 85d and an inner
lower middle cowl 85e integrally connected to the front lower end
portion of the inner upper middle cowl 85d.
In the inner upper middle cowl 85d, a duct opening 85f, through
which the duct 81 (see FIG. 2) of the headlight lower cover 71 (see
FIG. 2) is inserted, and an upper discharge port 85g provided rear
obliquely above the duct opening 85f in order to discharge the air
in the middle cowl 42 (see FIG. 3) to the vehicle body inner side
are formed.
The inner upper middle cowl 85d includes a pair of upper ribs 85q
and 85r provided vertically apart from each other to extend in the
front-rear direction in order to form the upper air intake passage
42d (see FIG. 3). The upper ribs 85q and 85r are formed to project
to the vehicle width direction outer side.
The inner lower middle cowl 85e includes an air intake passage
groove 85h provided to extend in the front-rear direction in order
to form the air intake passage 42b (see FIG. 3), the rear end
portion opening 85b provided at the rear end of the air intake
passage groove 85h, front end portion lower openings 85a, 85a, and
a vertically long front end portion vertical opening 85j provided
near the rear of the front end portion lower opening 85a in order
to take the air into the middle cowl 42.
The air intake passage groove 85h is formed by a pair of ribs 85n
and 85p, side walls on both sides of which project to the vehicle
width direction outer side and extend in the front-rear direction.
Note that reference sign 85k denotes a blinker attachment hole to
which the front blinker 63 (see FIG. 1) is attached.
As shown in FIG. 11B, the outer middle cowl 86 is integrally formed
from an outer upper middle cowl 86f and an outer lower middle cowl
86g formed to respectively overlap, in the vehicle width direction,
the inner upper middle cowl 85d and the inner lower middle cowl 85e
of the inner middle cowl 85 indicated by an imaginary line.
A lower edge portion 85m of the inner upper middle cowl 85d is
exposed to a side from the rear side cutout 86d of the outer middle
cowl 86 with respect to the outer upper middle cowl 86f. Since the
rear side cutout 86d and the duct opening 85f of the inner middle
cowl 85 overlap in the vehicle width direction, the traveling wind
can be introduced into the vehicle body inside through a middle
cowl opening 42c formed from the rear side cutout 86d and the duct
opening 85f or the traveling wind and radiator exhaust wind in the
vehicle body inside of the middle cowl 42 can be discharged to the
outside.
In the outer lower middle cowl 86g, a blinker attachment hole 86h,
to which the front blinker 63 (see FIG. 1) is attached, is opened
in the upper front part.
Action of the wind guide structure of the vehicle body cover 31
explained above is explained.
FIG. 12 is an action diagram showing the wind guide structure of
the vehicle body cover 31.
As indicated by an arrow D, the traveling wind flows into the rear
of the side upper cowl 46 and the windscreen 47 from a gap 98
between the lower edge portion of the side upper cowl 46 and the
upper edge portion of the headlight 51. Consequently, a negative
pressure generated behind the front cowl 32 during vehicle
traveling is suppressed. Engulfing of the traveling wind to the
rear of the front cowl 32 is suppressed.
As indicated by an arrow E, the traveling wind is taken into the
upper air intake passage 42d in the middle cowl 42 from the duct 81
provided in the headlight lower cover 71. The traveling wind taken
into the upper air intake passage 42d flows into the vehicle body
inside from the upper discharge port 85g.
As indicated by an arrow F, the traveling wind hitting the middle
cowl 42 from a side when the vehicle turns is taken into the
vehicle body inside or discharged from the vehicle body inside by
the middle cowl opening 42c of the middle cowl 42, whereby it is
possible to reduce air resistance when the vehicle is tilted to the
left and the right. As a result, since it is easy to switch a
tilting direction in which the vehicle is tilted to the left and
the right, it is possible to improve turnability of the vehicle. As
indicated by an arrow G and an arrow H, it is possible to make it
easy to discharge exhaust wind of the radiator 88 (see FIG. 3).
As indicated by an arrow J, the traveling wind is taken into the
air intake passage 42b in the middle cowl 42 from the front end
portion upper opening 86a of the middle cowl 42 and discharged from
the rear end portion opening 85b. As indicated by an arrow K and an
arrow L, the traveling wind is taken into the vehicle inside of the
side cowl 33 from the air intake port 54g of the side cowl 33 and
supplied to the engine 26 from the air intake duct 38 (see FIG. 5)
of the air intake device 36 (see FIG. 5) via the air cleaner box 37
(see FIG. 5) and the like.
As indicated by an arrow M, the traveling wind is taken into the
middle cowl 42 from the front end portion lower opening 85a
provided at the front end of the middle cowl 42 and discharged from
the rear end portion lower opening 85c to reduce air resistance of
the middle cowl 42.
As indicated by an arrow N and an arrow P, the traveling wind is
discharged from a front opening 43a and a rear opening 43b of the
lower cowl 43 to remove hot air around the feet of the driver near
the engine 26.
A reduction of air resistance, improvement of steering stability,
and the like are achieved by the flows of the air indicated by the
arrows E, J, M, and the like as explained above.
As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4, and FIG. 6, in the cowl structure of
the motorcycle 10 functioning as the saddled vehicle including the
bar handle 21 steerably supported by the head pipe 10b, the main
seat 17 on which the occupant is seated, the side cowl 33 that
covers the side lower part of the main seat 17, the air cleaner box
37 provided below the main seat 17 and connected to the power unit
30, and the air intake duct 38 that supplies the outside air to the
air cleaner box 37, the side cowl 33 includes the inner side cowl
54 and the outer side cowl 55 disposed on the vehicle width
direction outer side of the inner side cowl 54, the air intake port
54g for supplying the traveling wind to the air intake duct 38 is
provided near the front end portion of the inner side cowl 54, and
the air intake port 54g is covered from the outer side by the outer
side cowl 55.
With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the air intake
port 54g from being closed by the leg when the occupant performs
the knee-grip. Therefore, it is possible to effectively supply the
outside air to the power unit 30.
As shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7, the inner side cowl 54
includes the protrusion sections 54j projecting to the outer side.
The protrusion sections 54j are provided in the front of the air
intake port 54g from the portion on the vehicle width direction
inner side of the front end portion of the outer side cowl 55 to
the portion where the inner side cowl 54 is exposed to the outside.
Therefore, unevenness is formed on the outer side surface of the
inner side cowl 54. When the occupant performs the knee-grip, it is
possible to prevent the air intake port 54g from being completely
closed. Therefore, it is possible to effectively supply the outside
air to the power unit 30.
As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 6, the side of the head pipe
10b is covered by the middle cowl 42. The air intake passage 42b is
formed on the inside of the middle cowl 42. The rear edge of the
middle cowl 42 is disposed on the front side of the air intake port
54g and further on the outer side than the air intake port 54g. The
traveling wind passed through the air intake passage 42b is
supplied to the air intake duct 38 via the air intake port 54g.
Therefore, by disposing the rear edge of the middle cowl 42 on the
front side and the outer side of the air intake port 54g, when the
occupant places the leg on the middle cowl 42 in order to perform
the knee-grip, it is possible to secure a space in the front of the
side cowl 33. Consequently, it is possible to effectively supply
the outside air to the power unit 30.
As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, the main frame 10c extends
rearwardly downward from the head pipe 10b. The fuel tank 29 for
supplying the fuel to the power unit 30 is provided between the
head pipe 10b and the main seat 17. The inner side cowl 54 is
disposed above the main frame 10c and supported by the fuel tank
29. The middle cowl 42 is supported by the stay 91 extending
sideward from the main frame 10c. Therefore, since the inner side
cowl 54 and the middle cowl 42 are supported in a state in which
the inner side cowl 54 and the middle cowl 42 are offset in the
vehicle width direction, it is possible to form a structure in
which the air intake port 54g is much less easily closed by the
knee-grip of the occupant. Therefore, the occupant can perform the
knee-grip in a state in which a space in the front of the side cowl
33 is secured. It is possible to effectively supply the outside air
to the power unit 30. The inner side cowl 54 is supported by the
fuel tank 29. The middle cowl 42 (specifically, the outer middle
cowl 86) is supported by the main frame 10c via the stay 91.
Therefore, it is possible to firmly support the inner side cowl 54
and the middle cowl 42.
The embodiment explained above only indicates an aspect of the
present invention. Modifications and applications are optionally
possible in a range not departing from the spirit of the present
invention.
For example, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 11A
and 11B, each of the side cowl 33 and the middle cowl 42 is
configured by an inner member and an outer member. However, each of
the side cowl 33 and the middle cowl 42 may be configured by one
member.
As shown in FIG. 4, the inner side cowl 54 is supported by the fuel
tank 29 and the inner side cowl 54 and the outer side cowl 55 are
fastened. However, not only this, but the outer side cowl 55 may be
fastened to the fuel tank 29.
As shown in FIG. 8, the air intake duct 38 is faced right downward.
However, not only this, but the air intake duct 38 may be faced
left downward.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
10 motorcycle (saddled vehicle) 10b head pipe 10c main frame 17
main seat (seat) 21 bar handle (handle) 29 fuel tank 30 power unit
33 side cowl 37 air cleaner box 38 air intake duct 42 middle cowl
42b air intake passage 54 inner side cowl 54g air intake port 54j
protrusion section 55 outer side cowl 85 inner middle cowl 86 outer
middle cowl 91 stay
* * * * *